The NFL unveiled its schedule for the upcoming season on Thursday, and this year's slate includes more than a few oddities.
Here are the 13 most notable quirks of the 2026 campaign.
Ultimate world travelers: The 49ers will enter the record books for traveling ... a lot. In 2026, they'll become the first team ever to play multiple non-consecutive international games in the same season (Week 1 in Australia and Week 11 in Mexico). They're projected to travel 38,105 miles and cross a record 58 time zones.
No mileage reimbursement: The Panthers are expected to travel 8,740 miles, the fewest in the league. Carolina won't go west of Minneapolis or east of Philadelphia, making only six time zone changes.
Rams all over calendar: Sean McVay and Co. tied an NFL record with seven prime-time appearances in 2026. The Rams will also play at least one game on five different days of the week: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday (Thanksgiving Eve), Thursday, and Friday (Christmas Day). L.A. could even get a Saturday matchup in the season's final stretch.
Wednesday Night Football: The NFL will have games on two different Wednesdays - a first in the Super Bowl era. The Seahawks open the campaign on a Wednesday against the Patriots to accommodate the league's game in Australia. The Rams and Packers will then face off in the inaugural Thanksgiving Eve matchup.
London Jaguars: The Jaguars will play two of their eight home games in London (Weeks 5 and 6), making them the first team to host two international "home" games in the same season. They're also playing those contests at different venues, with Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Wembley Stadium roughly 10 miles apart.
Browns don't need a passport: Cleveland is the only AFC North team without an international game this season. The Ravens (Brazil), Steelers (France), and Bengals (Spain) will all feature in matchups across the ocean.
Weird streak ends: Over the past four seasons, every Bengals-Ravens game in Baltimore was played in prime time, while every contest in Cincinnati kicked off at 1 p.m. ET. This odd streak is over, as the Bengals host the Ravens on Thursday Night Football on New Year's Eve.
Where did Jets go? New York didn't receive a prime-time game for the first time since 1981. The Jets are scheduled to play 15 games at 1 p.m. ET.
Bengals also in early window: Cincinnati's first seven contests will take place at 1 p.m. ET. The team then plays at 9:30 a.m. in Madrid. Joe Burrow and Co. won't get any prime-time action until Sunday Night Football on Nov. 15.
NFL optimistic about Mahomes: Patrick Mahomes' ACL injury rehab is going well, but he's not a lock to play in Week 1. That didn't prevent the league from giving Kansas City two prime-time bouts to start the season. If Mahomes isn't available, the Chiefs will likely start Justin Fields.
New era for Chicago: The Bears received five prime-time games, tying a team high since 2000. Chicago, one of the NFL's oldest franchises, will open its season versus Carolina, leaving only six teams that the Bears have never faced in Week 1 (Eagles, Saints, Broncos, Jets, Patriots, and Raiders).
Where's the 2026 No. 1 pick? If you're interested in watching Fernando Mendoza, it won't be as easy as you'd hope. Barring a late-season flex, the Raiders don't have any prime-time games.
No love for Cam Ward ... again: Another former first overall selection who didn't get any prime-time love is Ward, as the Titans didn't receive any marquee matchups for the second straight year.
